Some remodels are misguided. That wasPaula Massengill and Leo Simon's conclusion when they bought an 1890s farmhouse in the
Berkeley hills.

Previous owners had added a raisedgreenhouse to the southwest side.
"In the afternoon, however, it got so hot we simply couldn't
use it,' Mr. Simon stated. Since they needed an extra room for a
study, they decided to remove the greenhouse and start over.

Oakland architect Alan Dreyfus designeda three-level wing over the
existing 14- by 16-foot foundation, carefully matching molding details
and room proportions with those in the rest of the house. On the lowest
level, he installed an extra room. On the next level, double-hung
windows wrap around three sides of a new study, taking advantage of the
view and shade from adjacent oaks. For greater sun control, Dreyfuss
used double glazing and individually operated blinds.

The study's roof, accessible from the masterbedroom, provides
a deck for sunbathing or outdoor dining. A sturdy, simply crafted wood
railing--set back a foot from the roof edge--rings the deck. The railing
is painted white to complement the house trim elsewhere.

The greenhouse itself was not destroyed:it found a new home at the
UC Botanical Garden.

Photo: Before: glass walls and roof made this
southwest-facinggreenhouse too hot for year-round use

Photo: After: replacing greenhouse, additioncontains enclosed
rooms at the basement and first-floor levels and a roof deck off the
master bedroom